Neutralization of acidic discharges from abandoned underground coal mines by alkaline injection

Book · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:5911883

Aljoe, W W; Hawkins, J W

The hydrologic characteristics of two abandoned underground coal mine sites, near Latrobe, PA, and Uniontown, PA, were investigated by the US Bureau of Mines for possible implementation of alkaline injection into the mine pools as a means of abating their acid discharges. The Latrobe site was chosen for a one-time application of alkaline injection to achieve a partial, short-term neutralization of a limited portion of the mine pool. A quantity of alkaline reagent (sodium hydroxide) sufficient for a one-time neutralization of the water in this portion of the pool was added. Although nearly all of the neutralizing reagent had moved away from the injection wells within 6 weeks, no evidence of neutralization was noted at the mine discharge during the study period. This lack of neutralization probably occurred because the injection wells did not intercept a primary flow path through the mine. Criteria for successful application of alkaline injection at this or other sites include (1) positive identification of the primary flow paths through the mine pool and (2) addition of quantities of alkaline reagent sufficient to neutralize the entire volume of the pool along the primary flow path.

• OSTI ID: 5911883
• Resource Relation: Related Information: Report of Investigations 9468
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL MINES
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ABANDONED SITES
FLUID FLOW
HYDROLOGY
INJECTION WELLS
MINE DRAINING
MONITORING
UNDERGROUND MINING
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
MINES
MINING
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WATER CHEMISTRY
WELLS
012033* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Underground Mining- Mine Environment- (1987-)